"Pearson Turns Red For SuperClean Diamond Nats"
Lucas Oil Speedway - Wheatland, MO
May 6, 2008

Earl Pearson Jr. driving in his first event with a cast on his broken right wrist from a wreck in early April.  He was however able to extend his points lead in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series national points standings with a solid 5th place finish at last weekends "Kentucky 99" event in Calvert City, KY.  

Pearson, driving the Bobby Labonte owned Mastersbilt Chassis, finished 3rd in his heat race to earn a 12th starting position for the 50-lap feature event.  He advanced into the top five by halfway and was running as high as 3rd place before finishing a solid 5th.  He now leads the series point standings by 45 over Steve Casebolt.

"It was a good finish for us with the circumstances we were under," said Pearson. "It was a little uncomfortable at times in the car trying to drive with the cast but I was able to get the job done with a top 5 finish."
 
Next up for Pearson, the "Super Clean Diamond Nationals" this Friday and Saturday, May 9th and 10th.  The 100-lap SPEED CHANNEL event at the Lucas Oil Speedway will pay a whopping $40,000 to win.  Pearson and team will also compete for additional cash awards in the Integra Shock Crew Chief Competition on Friday, a pit stop competition against other top race teams.
 
Earl and the Bobby Labonte Racing Team are excited to announce a special color scheme for this weekend's SuperClean Diamond Nationals.  The new look will be a familiar one for Earl Pearson Jr. fans as the team will debut a mostly red car with primary sponsor Lucas Oil logos on the front hood and quarter panels.  Bobby Labonte and the Lucas Oil Company agreed to bring back the red car plus a special red Lucas Oil late model for Bobby Labonte to drive in the Nextel Prelude later this year at Eldora.

To learn more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit www.lucasdirt.com.  For more information about Earl Pearson Jr. and the Bobby Labonte Racing Team visit their official website at www.bobbylabontemotorsports.com.  And finally for information on this weekend's SuperClean Diamond Nationals, including purchasing reserved seats online, go to LucasOilSpeedway.com.